Memory Lane (by Thom)

Two years ago today I was in Africa for the very first time. (To read about this, click here) Back then, I had no idea this would be a permanent thing for me and Amanda. In fact, I was hoping to lead more short-term trips and building more radio stations in West Africa. God had a different plan though, and now Amanda and I have been missionaries in language school and Mali for over a year. This past weekend, at the Koutiala hospital dedication, many missionaries from Burkina Faso came and I got to see them for the first time since that trip two years ago. For me, it was great to see Steve Nehlson and his wife Amy, as well as Tim Albright again. Because of these people, I was able to throw away my incorrect assumptions of what a missionary does and is. I realized there is a place on the mission field for people who can fix computers, edit video, understand radio, and of course keep financial books.

It was great this past weekend to hear about what is going on in Burkina. I got to hear of friends I made there, and also of the radio station we worked on in Tougan. (It should be going on the air shortly!!) On another note, when I first realized we were going to be missionaries, I was really hoping that would lead to Burkina Faso. However, with the friends I’ve made here – both missionary and Malian – I’m so glad we ended up in Mali. This whole weekend reminded me of the truth of James 4:13-15 (NASB) -

Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit." Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that."